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Thursday, February 17, 2011

Ice Storm 2005


It's time for
over at 
Verde Farm!

Today we spent the afternoon trimming trees
here on the farm that had been damaged 
a few years back by a severe ice storm.
This brought back a lot of memories for us
and so I thought I would post about it. 

This winter has been a tough one for most of us
here in the USA and Canada and overseas. 
Some places have been hit heavy by snow storms
that just keep coming and I'm sure we 
wonder if it will ever end.
So far here in Kansas we have had our share 
of snow and storms and even
a little ice....
but nothing compares to the winter of 2005.


This is what I saw around 9pm out our French doors.

It started around 4pm with rain turning to 
freezing drizzle.
By 8pm it started to sound like a war zone.
At first I heard what sounded like a loud crack
somewhere near the house. 
Then there was another and another right 
outside the window.
This was no little branch breaking...these were limbs!
My hubby had left for work around 3:00 pm so I was
alone ...and I was scared and I was worried for him.
We lived in the city at the time and we had HUGE
elm tree's on our 1 1/2 acres.
One very huge tree grew very close to the house 
with HUGE limbs that grew out OVER the house.
I figured it was only a matter of time before 
one of those limbs would come crashing 
through the roof.
Thank heavens that didn't happen...but the aftermath
looked like a war zone.






Hubby made it home safely but it was slow going
as the roads were treacherous.
The next morning we were shocked to see just 
how much damage the storm had done...everywhere
 you looked there were huge limbs either down or
hanging broken from the trees.
I couldn't hold back the tears.
Those beautiful old trees!
That whole day was spent talking to neighbors and 
surveying the damage but thank goodness no 
one was hurt or had their homes severely damaged.

The next day it was a whole different scene...the sun 
came out and the damage was transformed into
a glittering world of sparkling crystals.



This tree above is a Chinese Elm and was right out front of the house.
Not one limb was broken...the limbs and branches bent instead of breaking!
The other elms were American Elms that grow more upright.











This last photo is of the most severe damage
we received to the house other than bent gutters, 
bent fencing, bent BBQ shelf and chair.

All in all we were pretty fortunate.
Now we just hope and pray that this winter
goes out like a lamb. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend 
(with NO snow) and for 
those of you who haven't entered my 
..please do!
I will draw a winner on Monday Feb 28th.
Good luck!

Maura :)



26 comments:

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

What a storm that was! Incredible how all that weight on the trees is from ice!
Reminds me of our road in Florida after the Hurricane Frances. Huge old oak trees just ripped from the ground. We were able to see homes we had never viewed before! Weather is a mighty thing!
I will make a bloggie button and then be back to join in the giveaway! Hooray!
xo, misha
p.s. it was 72 here today :)

Catherine said...

Hi Maura,
W e had a storm here in 1999 and it was terrible, the forest were devastated. I was very scared it was the xmas night and it took me a long time not to be scared when there was some wind! we are not used to this kind of weather here.(i hope you won't have two comments, but i had problems with the first one) have a good day, Catherine

Lynn said...

Amazing pics, especially the flag! We're ready for spring here in Philly this year:@)

Vintage Gal said...

Oh that must have been really tough to go through ~ It's amazing how beautiful ice look on everything and how much damage it does. Have a happy Friday ;-)

Buttons Thoughts said...

I remember this storm we were without power for 5 days. We are still burning wood that we had fall down in our bush. Nice post. B

Naturally Carol said...

Hello..it is interesting to see your pictures of that storm in 2005..I do hope you never have to go through that again! I am your newest follower and invite you to visit me whenever you like. I am now going to enter your lovely giveaway.

Jen said...

I remember that ice storm... what an adventure. It sure was pretty though.

Country Gal said...

Yup we have had storms like that here to its scary but it sure looks pretty with all the ice on the trees. Love your photos and your new blog look very fresh looking ! Have a great day !

Rural Rambler said...

Gosh Maura I remember that storm! It was our first winter here at Waterloo. We could hear the tree limbs cracking like gunfire in the dark night. We woke up to a mess in the morning. No serious damage but it took a tremendous toll on our trees. Some of our neighbors had no power for days. It hit St. Louis much worse. Great pictures Maura, it sure is beautiful but I really don't want to ever see all that ice on our trees again!

Finding Pam said...

It is good that you can see the beauty even through all of the damage. The ice on the fence is so incredible.

Stay warm and I have hopes that Spring is not too far off.

Scufty said...

We've had our share of ice up here but sure never got anything like that! You got some incredibly gorgeous shots of the sun on the ice though - isn't it great how even through the destruction, a beautiful silver lining came shining. Thanks for the memories ... love you...Scufty

quiltzyx said...

Wow! Your pictures of the aftermath are amazing. I'm glad that you didn't have more damages. I visited a friend in Missouri in 2007, just a week (or so) after they had an ice storm, and I remember her talking about that cracking sound too.
Thanks for sharing with us.

Bee Haven Bev said...

Oh my Maura, that ice is so beautiful, but so treacherous. That poor old tree....so sad....not to mention the clean up detail!

Have a great weekend,
Bev

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Your photos certainly show how bad that ice storm was. We didn't get hit as much as areas of Quebec but it was nasty, just the same.
The flag looks kind of neat.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Great photos, Maura! My hubby is a lineman and has worked in areas that have been affected by ice storms and has told me of some amazing scenes. One photo he showed was of a power line coated thick with ice about the size of a soda can or larger. The ice can be so destructive.

Love your blog background! Have a wonderful weekend, Cheryl

Verde Farm said...

OH Maura, this is unbelievable. It’s so disheartening to come out and find these disasters mother nature can bring. Your gorgeous trees took quite a beating. I bet you were amazed-it does seem like a war zone but...all that and some of the best, most amazing pictures ever. Thank you so much for linking up with Farm Friend Friday. I am so enjoying the posts this week. I have an idea and will e-mail you. :)
Hugs, M&M

Alica said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! Great pictures of the ice...so beautiful but so destructive! Our neighbor has Chinese Elms; they're beautiful, but old and seem to be very brittle. In our ice storm this winter he lost quite a few branches...but thankfully the electric lines are on OUR side of the road!

Mrs. Cherry Heart said...

Its so sad to see those beautiful big ole trees go down!
I am sure they will be missed!
Thank God everyone is ok!

Smiles, Dolly

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

Isn't it amazing what that beautiful ice can do. Your poor gorgeous trees that were damaged, so sad. Spring is around the corner and will be here before you know it.

Bearly Sane said...

There is something special about mother nature, she can slap you about, turn you inside out and the very next day show you beauty beyond compare!
Love all your frosty photos Maura!
Warmest Hugs,
Sandi @ Ess D'Ess Bears and Bearly Sane Studio

hilary@oldhousetruelove said...

oh my!!! you just sent chills up my spine... remembering the ice storm we endurred 2 years ago... it looked much like yours and we were without power for 2 weeks. Our world was destroyed and we are still cleaning up 2 years later... mother nature... i miss my visits to your farm! it always relaxes me!!!!

Heritage Farm Village said...

hi maura, i remember that ice storm in 2005. when i would travel to kentucky you could see the tops of the trees shaved as though a huge saw came thru. lovely pics and i am so glad nobody got hurt. jill

Tonya said...

Oh wow what a mess that was, but yet it was so pretty the snow and the ice. Living in Northwest Florida we don't get snow, but we sure do get some cold winters here. Thank you for sharing Blessings.

Riviera Brides said...

Love these pics + your blog. I'm a new follower, hope you're gonna follow back. All the best, talk soon
www.rivierabrides.com

Anna said...

I'm shocked!What a storm!It never snows in my region,I live in the south of Italy.I love your blog,
kisses,Anna

Sunray Gardens said...

I've really enjoyed your whole blog, great photos and love the animal stories. I have a new one but will be updating a lot this year as the seasons progress.
Cher
Goldenray Yorkies

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